The Gospel of Mark: Jesus’ Identity, Mission, and Servant Heart

Summary

This article introduces the Gospel of Mark as Peter’s eyewitness account written to persecuted believers. Mark presents Jesus as the Servant Messiah whose identity is confirmed by John the Baptist, the Father, and even Satan. Jesus humbly identifies with sinners through baptism, receives the Father’s affirmation, and defeats temptation by relying on God’s Word. His life calls believers to repentance, humility, and faithful obedience.

The Purpose of the Gospel of Mark

The purpose of the Gospel of Mark is to report Peter’s eyewitness experience of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Mark wrote it between A.D. 60 and 70 in Rome to persecuted Roman Christians.

He explains how the good news about Jesus Christ began. He emphasizes that Jesus came to serve (Mark 10:45).

Witnesses Who Confirm Jesus’ Identity

Mark 1:1-13 establishes Jesus’ identity by calling three witnesses to the stand: John the Baptist, God the Father, and Satan the tempter.

The first announces Him. The second affirms Him. The third acknowledges Him.

John the Baptist and the Call to Repentance

John the Baptist initiated the Gospel age. His preaching was like a vehicle with flashing lights and a sign marked “Extra-wide Load” warning of a huge object moving on a highway. Pay attention!

An extra-wide load is taking away three-fourths of the road! John’s ministry pointed toward the day he would say, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NIV).

John the Baptist played second fiddle. Will you? How are you handling the tension between serving and fitting into a society that values being served?

John called for a heart response (repentance) and a public action (baptism). Repentance is a deliberate turning from sin.

It results in changed conduct. Baptism in the Jordan River was the outward sign of that change.

In Mark 1:7-8, John says he is unworthy to unloose the thongs of the sandals of the One who is to come. That was a slave’s job in the first century. By contrast, many Christians live as if Jesus were their slave. Do you? 

Jesus’ Humility and Identification with Sinners

Remarkably, Jesus submitted to John’s baptism in Mark 1:9. That baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). Jesus was not a sinner.

Yet, through baptism, He identified Himself completely with us and our sins. He was like a general crawling through the mud with his troops.

Do you look down on those still in sin? Do you treat them as equals?

Affirmed by the Father and Led by the Spirit

Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, the Father affirms Him by saying, “I claim you. I love you. I am proud of you.” We must belong, be loved, and know someone proud of us. Are you meeting these three needs in the lives of your loved ones?

After Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit drove Him into the wilderness from the Jordan River. The Scriptures indicate Satan knew who Jesus was.

In Matthew 4:4, Satan acknowledges Jesus’ identity. He does not ask Him to prove it.

Victory Over Temptation Through God’s Word

Satan attacked when Jesus was at His weakest. Knowing and applying God’s word allowed Him to withstand the temptation. God’s word was His authority.   

Photo: Adobe Firefly